Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has a torn meniscus in his right knee that will need surgery, affecting his progress as a rookie and raising doubts about his readiness for the regular season.
Coach Kevin O’Connell shared the news on Tuesday. McCarthy injured his knee during his first preseason game on Saturday, where he completed 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception against Las Vegas.
McCarthy reported ongoing pain when the team returned on Monday, leading to further tests. The 10th overall pick from Michigan is uncertain how long his recovery will take, with the possibility of missing about a month or, in a worse case, the whole season.
O’Connell expressed concern for McCarthy’s short-term development, noting his progress and the effort he had been putting in.
“We felt strongly about where he was at in his development process,” O’Connell said. “It’s unfortunate for him in the short term.”
The recovery time depends on the severity of the tear. A full repair generally takes longer than a partial tear that only requires trimming. “This is totally a medical decision,” O’Connell added. “What’s best for J.J. McCarthy’s long-term health will be the priority.”
Even if McCarthy recovers quickly, this injury is a setback given his potential and the plans to increase his practice with the first-team offense. McCarthy tried to stay positive with a social media post, writing, “Love you Viking nation. I’ll be back in no time. Amor fati,” ending with a Latin phrase meaning to accept whatever comes in life.
